Reports from the Palestinian city of Jenin indicate that the Israeli Army has withdrawn its troops, which have laid siege to the city over the past weeks. A Voice of Palestine radio correspondent confirmed troops had left Jenin to the Reuters news agency. The withdrawal occurred in the dark, during the night between Wednesday and Thursday. Israeli forces had invaded the autonomous Palestinian areas after a number of suicide attacks left heavy casualties inside Israeli cities.
The Israeli Army also announced that it was lifting blockades from the cities of Qaqilyah, Jenin, Hebron and Tul Karm but that they would remain in place in Ramallah and Nablus, reported the Jerusalem Post. Although troops have pulled out from positions in Nablus, the IDF said that it is still considering the possibility of carrying out patrols in the city.
While the IDF has pulled out of neighborhoods in the western part of Ramallah it said that it would remain in positions in northern Ramallah near the offices of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. Arafat has been virtually held captive in his Ramallah offices over December, after the Israeli Air Force destroyed his helicopters in attack in Gaza, and the Israeli Army surrounded his offices in Ramallah.
Israeli Prime Minister Sharon’s decision to keep Arafat in Ramallah and not allow him to attend Christmas festivities in Bethlehem drew intense international criticism, and also criticism in his own parliament. However, Sharon has made it clear he intends to continue to hold Arafat immobile. (www.albawaba.com)
